Overview
Background
Liguang Wang is an internationally recognised researcher in mineral processing, with research leadership in flotation science and process intensification to enable efficient recovery of critical and energy-transition minerals. His research group has delivered patented and patent-pending technologies, supported by international (PCT) filings, for flotation process intensification, monitoring, and control, bridging fundamental understanding with industrial application. He received his PhD from Virginia Tech (Supervisor: Roe-Hoan Yoon) in 2006 and was awarded the ACARP Research and Industry Excellence Award in 2022.
More details from the lab website.
Fully funded PhD project: We are seeking a domestic student working on sustainable production of lithium minerals, which is supported by an Australian Research Council Linkage grant. Web link for the scholarship: https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/projects/sustainable-beneficiation-lithium-minerals
Availability
- Associate Professor Liguang Wang is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Research interests
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Critical minerals, mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, flotation, dewatering, agglomeration, particle separation, thin liquid films, complex fluids, modelling and simulation, process control.
Research impacts
Developed a versatile method to improve flotation efficiency using low-frequency acoustic sound. This technology has entered industrial demonstration stage.
Improved mineral or coal flotation using oscillatory air supply. This work is highlighted in an industrial e-newsletter: ACARP Matters
Developed a novel sensor to monitor the mass pull of any flotation cell. In-plant testing of the sensor has been successful.
Developed a simple and fast method to measure frother distribution in flotation circuits for process control.
Works
Search Professor Liguang Wang’s works on UQ eSpace
2006
Conference Publication
Stability of foams and froths in the presence of ionic and non-ionic surfactants
Wang, LG and Yoon, RH (2006). Stability of foams and froths in the presence of ionic and non-ionic surfactants. Oxford: Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd. doi: 10.1016/j.mineng.2005.09.006
2006
Journal Article
Hydrophobicity of oil droplets in water
Mao, L, Wang, L and Yoon, RH (2006). Hydrophobicity of oil droplets in water. Minerals & Metallurgical Processing, 23 (1), 45-51. doi: 10.1007/bf03403335
2005
Conference Publication
Stability of foams and froths in the presence of ionic and non-ionic surfactants
Wang, L. and Yoon, R. H. (2005). Stability of foams and froths in the presence of ionic and non-ionic surfactants.
2005
Conference Publication
Hydrophobic forces in thin aqueous films and their role in film thinning
Wang, LG and Yoon, RH (2005). Hydrophobic forces in thin aqueous films and their role in film thinning. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science Bv. doi: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2004.12.045
2005
Conference Publication
Hydrophobic interactions between the air bubbles in water
Wang, Liguang and Yoon, Roe-Hoan (2005). Hydrophobic interactions between the air bubbles in water. Innovations in Natural Resource Processing, Salt Lake City, UT, United States, 28 February-2 March 2005.
2004
Journal Article
Hydrophobic forces in the foam films stabilized by sodium dodecyl sulfate: Effect of electrolyte
Wang, LG and Yoon, RH (2004). Hydrophobic forces in the foam films stabilized by sodium dodecyl sulfate: Effect of electrolyte. Langmuir, 20 (26), 11457-11464. doi: 10.1021/la048672g
2001
Journal Article
Amelioration of the mineral compositions and microstructures of the special ore sinters
Fu, J.Y. and Wang, L.G. (2001). Amelioration of the mineral compositions and microstructures of the special ore sinters. Journal of Central South University of Technology, 8 (1), 29-33. doi: 10.1007/s11771-001-0020-9
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Liguang Wang is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Available projects
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Sustainable beneficiation of lithium minerals
Pioneer a novel flotation beneficiation method to upgrade lithium ores, lowering costs and environmental impacts while enabling sustainable recovery of critical minerals.
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Mineral Beneficiation
The objective of this project is to develop a novel and effective beneficiation process to upgrade critical minerals, increase utilisation of existing resources, and reduce costs and adverse impacts in processing of the ores.
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Development of Advanced Coal Cleaning Technologies
Separation of ultrafine coal particles from clay and water during a cleaning operation has been a long-term problem that the industry has faced. This project will develop advanced solid-solid and solid-liquid separation technologies, aiming to achieve high combustible recovery and low product moisture at low cost.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
A novel process for mineral separation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hangil Park
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Doctor Philosophy
Advancing beneficiation of fine particles
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hangil Park
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Doctor Philosophy
Advancing particulate materials separation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hangil Park
Completed supervision
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Ultrasonic flotation of minerals without and with external air supply
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hangil Park
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Studies of wetting film stability, froth stability and mineral flotation with acoustic sound
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hangil Park
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Gas Dispersion and Graphite Flotation in Saline Water with Oscillatory Air Supply
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Anh Nguyen
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Modelling the Solid-liquid Separation and Monitoring the Solids Recovery in Solid Bowl Centrifugation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hangil Park
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Inhibition of Bubble Coalescence and Improvement of Froth Flotation Using Acoustic Sound
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mingxing Zhang, Dr Hangil Park
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Investigation of starches as depressant in the flotation separation of hematite from quartz
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mingxing Zhang
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Coal flotation using oscillatory air supply
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mingxing Zhang
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Experimental and Computational Studies of Gas Hydrate Formation and Dissociation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Debra Bernhardt
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
A study of frother chemistry and froth behaviour in coal flotation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mingxing Zhang
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Clathrate hydrate formation in presence of kinetic and thermodynamic promoters
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Anh Nguyen
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
Correlation of air recovery with froth stability, thin liquid film stability and separation efficiency in coal flotation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Anh Nguyen
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Effect of contact angle and contact angle hysteresis on the stability and detachment of floating particles
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Anh Nguyen
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Bioprocess engineering and downstream process optimisation of microalgae for biomass production
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Liguang Wang directly for media enquiries about:
- Gas hydrates clean energy algal biofuel flotation coal cleaning mineral processing
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